By D. Moses Wantu
Liberia is rich in resources but very poor when it comes to infrastructure as well as men power or mental development of her citizens. The fact remains that “no nation is an Island”, this means, all nations are inter-dependent. No nations stands alone and survive, even the great United States of America depends on other nations, in diplomacy we referred to such as alliance or ally. Nations learn from each other, nations share with each other, and nations form partnership with each other in every aspect of global governance.
There are countries that take diplomatic relationship as important as their sovereignty, and they leave no stone untouched to secure benefits from their bilateral of multilateral partners, using their various foreign policies instrument as required by various diplomatic conventions and treaties conveniently and respectively.
The questions diplomats from third-world countries including Liberia should begin asking themselves while in active service of duty are: “How can my country cope up with the challenge of job creation for my citizens, When do I hope to see my country rising admirably above the nightmare of poverty reduction, What can we do as diplomats to raise the living condition of the masses to an acceptable standard, how can we confront our challenges as a nation-State to enable our nation take the global stage of economic recovery after 14 years of war,
Can we learn from china as a nation, as a third-world or a developing nation-state? My answer would be yes, and a resounding yes. 26 years back where China has been and what were the channels the People’s Republic of China had used to overcome in bridging the poverty gap and putting China at the level of global dominance in technology and manufacturing.
Research has it that in 2024, China solidified its global economic influence by leveraging its position as the world's leading manufacturer and exporter, controlling key green technology supply chains (EVs, batteries, solar energy), and expanding its trade footprint across Asia, Africa, and South America, and even the north America, despite rising tariffs and diplomatic challenges.
We can do the same because we have natural resources in abundance. All we need is proper planning with country rich in manufacturing and technology to move their companies to Liberia to process the raw materials into finishing products such as tires, computers, asphalt, radios, televisions and other electronic appliances.
When china’s technology and manufacturing begin to boom in the global market, she was faced with lots of tariffs challenges with other nations, especially the United States of America. In fact, US begin with bullying China’s technology and fleets that Chines products are substandard. The US even placed high tariffs on China’s manufacturing. This made China to develop a shift in paradigm by identifying new partners in trade relation with a strategic vigor with the current ones and even the newly identified ones in Africa, Asia and South America.
Research has it that there are key Factors driving China's Global Dominance in the world stage economic viability. As we speak, China is a giant when it comes to manufacturing and technology. China widened its lead in global exports in 2024, with exports reaching 25.45 trillion yuan. It dominates in the production of electric cars (70% of global production), batteries, and solar modules, with tech firms in AI and 5G advancing rapidly.
In the fight to solidify her dominance and forecast the future, the Chinese government has developed what it termed Industrial Policy and Subsidies strategies, wherein the state capitalistic system provides massive subsidies and support to develop future technologies.
China is navigating her way by expansion of Global Infrastructure in developing countries. China has established a network of around 100 strategic ports, influencing global maritime trade routes.
On the economic resilience front, despite internal real estate challenges, Chinese policy measures successfully stabilized its economy and achieved 2024 growth targets, allowing for a strong export performance.
These factors demonstrate that China's rise is driven by its deeply embedded role in global manufacturing and its strategic role towards dominating future technologies.
Around 2002, when China officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and was navigating the global market 24 years ago, it faced significant structural and external economic difficulties. Key challenges included severe domestic price deflation, high unemployment caused by state-owned enterprise (SOE) restructuring, a massive widening of the income gap, and a global recession that limited export growth.
The question is, how did China reach do far? Well, the answer lies squarely with the government of Liberia by putting those proper measures into place that will enable our citizens discover their full potential. This greater responsibility begins with Liberian diplomats and ends with the government.
It is importing to note that being there matters. Physical presence ("being there") is crucial to show support, gather accurate information, and shape perceptions, which cannot be entirely replaced by digital tools, and we must never humiliate other nation, because the primary lesson in diplomacy is that humiliation of the other party is detrimental, often leading to long-term conflict rather than resolution.
